Kids and Holiness: Making Lent Meaningful to Children

Catholic Educator's Resource Center/CERC ^ | 2001 | Cyndi Montanaro

[Salvation]

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Kids and Holiness: Making Lent Meaningful to Children    CYNDI MONTANARO

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How might we apply the three penitential principles of Lent (fasting, almsgiving, and prayer) to our school-age children's lives? What can we do to teach them (not force them) to do penance for the love of Christ?

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On Ash Wednesday, we heard Christ teaching his disciples how to do penance (Matthew 6: 1-6, 16-18). He focused on three traditional areas for penance in Jewish life. These are fasting, almsgiving and prayer.

How to apply these principles to our school-age children's lives? What can we do to teach them (not force them) to do penance for the love of Christ?

FASTING

C. S. Lewis makes a very interesting point about gluttony in The Screwtape Letters. He points out other types of gluttony besides overeating.

These include being overly concerned about what, when and how we eat. For our children, this translates into refusing to eat anything but pizza and doughnuts, or, in the less extreme cases, into a strong dislike for vegetables.

Let's encourage our children, instead of doing the obvious, giving up sweets, to try to overcome one of their food aversions. Make sure they understand that this change should be from the heart, and should not be done grudgingly. If it is done well, it will be a true penance which will have a lasting benefit. Be sure they understand that it's not necessary to like the food, only to overcome their dislike of it enough to eat it. Because of our fallen human nature, we can't always control our likes and dislikes, and God doesn't expect this superhuman ability from us. He does expect us to bring obedience to the table.

ALMSIVING (Earning Money for the Poor)

All good Christians know that we must give money to the poor. But children don't earn any money. We may give them a few coins to put in the collection basket at church. But does this truly help them to understand the concept of almsgiving, or do they view it as just a game?

During Lent, most Catholic churches participate in Operation Rice Bowl. At the beginning of Lent, you probably received a small cardboard box with various scenes of third world destitution on it. You were asked to make little offerings on behalf of the hungry throughout the season.

This year, instead of simply giving your children money to put in the box, let them earn that money. Get several rolls of nickels, dimes or quarters from your local bank. Post a chart on your refrigerator listing amounts they will be "paid" if they do certain household chores. They might earn a nickel for emptying the dishwasher, or a dime if they do so before they are asked to. The older child, who has a paper route, or mows the neighbor's lawn each week should be encouraged to share his earnings with those less fortunate than himself.

PRAYER

Nearly every canonized saint who did not undergo a deathbed conversion, had an intimate prayer relationship with God. But how did they achieve it? Many saints, from their earliest years, were taught by their parents to pray. The prayers themselves may have been simple ones such as our "Angel of God" prayer, or the "Hail Mary." But the faith and attention with which these prayers are said make a tremendous difference to a child.

As parents, we encourage the development of our children's prayer life first and foremost through example. Let them see us praying often and with outward signs of piety. Don't assume that if you are slouched over in the pew your child will get the message that you are truly in love with Our Lord. The child is a very concrete person. Outward actions help him understand interior disposition (which he cannot see).

In addition to vocal prayer, the saints reached great heights of intimacy in mental prayer. While this may not have happened when they were children, the groundwork was often laid at an early age. Catholic meditation is based upon a mental picture. For example, one who is meditating on the crucifixion, forms a mental picture of that event, and then, striving to empty his mind of all distraction, concentrates the imagination.

This is a tall order for a third grader. A child often is not able to paint that mental picture. Here is where you, the parent, come in.

Take some time with your child, perhaps 15 minutes on a Sunday afternoon, and choose a mystery of the rosary. Take the child in your arms (your touch will help to focus his whole being on what you are saying), and describe to him a scene from the life of Christ. Then ask him what he thinks about when he puts this picture in his mind. Try and guide him toward a dialogue with Christ rather than simply with you. You might say to him, "What would you say to baby Jesus and his mother Mary if you saw them in Bethlehem?" If you can help your child to develop the habit of interior conversation, you will have gotten him on the road to sanctity.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

Cyndi Montanaro. "Kids and Holiness: Making Lent Meaningful to Children." National Catholic Register (February 25 - March 3, 2001).

Reprinted by permission of the National Catholic Register. To subscribe to the National Catholic Register call 1-800-421-3230.

THE AUTHOR

Cyndi Montanaro is a free-lance writer from Stafford, Virginia.

[Salvation]

The Holy Family is the place where we go when we feel like weak nobodies, incapable of withstanding the onslaught of the enemies of the Church, because Christ has raised up the Holy Family as the model of the Christian home, to be sure, but as the nucleus of the New Covenant Church-family of God showing that through detachment, through renunciation, through poverty, through mortification, through trials and sufferings, the war will be won. The Savior will be born and salvation will spill out in all directions and cover the earth. ... Scott Hahn

[Salvation]

[Gerish]

Thank you for letting me know about EWTN's kids website. Will have the kids check this out since they are off this week and always looking for something to do!

[Salvation]

**Day 1 (March 5) -- I will try to be cheerful in school today.**

Day 2 (March 6) -- I will pray for someone in class whom I find hard to like.

Day 3 (March 7) -- I will set the table (or help with dinner) tonight.

Day 4 (March 8) -- I will help clean up my room today.

First Sunday of Lent (March 9) -- Encourage each member of your family to bring a can of food for _____name of church_____ food pantry when you come to Mass today.

Day 5 (March 10) -- I will put out the trash for my parents.

Day 6 (March 11) -- I will share some of my treats at lunchtime.

Day 7 (March 12) -- I will save some of my spending money for the poor.

Day 8 (March 13) -- I will give my parents a hug tonight.

Day 9 (March 14) -- I will pick up my toys and books without being asked.

Day 10 (March 15) -- I will be nice to those around me today.

Second Sunday of Lent (March 16) -- As a family, make get well card for someone you know is sick and mail or deliver them.

Day 11 (March 17) -- I will try to do my school work without a fuss.

Day 12 (March 18) -- I will hang up my clothes without being asked.

Day 13 (March 19) -- I will pray for all fathers today. I will try to help someone with his/her school work.

Day 14 (March 20) -- I will say I'm sorry to someone I have hurt.

Day 15 (March 21) -- I will say a special prayer today for all the sick people.

Day 16 (March 22) -- I will try to compliment (say something nice) to someone today.

Third Sunday of Lent (March 23) -- As a family, bake cookies for someone you know that is lonely or a shut-in.

Day 17 (March 24) -- I will share any candy I have with a friend.

Day 18 (March 25) -- I will pick up any litter I see around my neighborhood/school. I will say one Hail Mary for my mother.

Day 19 (March 26) -- I will pray for all who are lonely.

Day 20 (March 27) -- I will pray for all the people who are hungry today.

Day 21 (March 28) I will give up something I want today for those who have less.

Day 22 (March 29) I will go oout of my way to be kind to someone I don't like.

Fourth Sunday of Lent (March 30) As a family, take a walk and notice the beautiful world that God has given us. Say a prayer of thanks to God.

Day 23 (March 31) -- I will write a note to my grandparents telling them of my love.

Day 24 (April 1) -- I will write a letter to a distant friend.

Day 25 (April 2) -- I will pray for those who do not feel loved.

Day 26 (April 3) -- I will think of a quality in myself that I could improve.

Day 27 (April 4) -- I will spend less time watching TV tonight.

Day 28 (April 5) -- I will spend some time with my family instead of just playing.

Fifth Sunday of Lent (April 6) -- As a family, pick some flowers from your yard and give them to a neighbor or friend that needs to be cheered up.

Day 29 (April 7) -- I will forgive someone who has hurt me.

Day 30 (April 8) -- I will try to do a good deed for someone.

Day 31 (April 9) -- I will spend some time in prayer today.

Day 32 (April 10) -- I will read from my Bible today.

Day 33 (April 11) -- I will pray for all those people in hospitals.

Day 34 (April 12) -- I will pray for all those children in countries at war. **

Sixth Sunday of Lent (Palm Sunday) (April 13) -- As a family, make the palm you received at Mass today into cross shapes and put one in each room of your house.

Day 35 (April 14) -- I will pray for all the soldiers and their families.

Day 36 (April 15) -- I will pray for peace.

Day 37 (April 16) -- I will spend some time with an elderly neighbor.

Day 38 (April 17) -- I will play for and help my sister or brother today.

Day 39 (April 18 -- I will take time to listen to my friend and not talk too much.

Day 40 (April 19) -- I will try to be silent today when I feel like talking.

Easter Sunday (April 29) -- Talk with your family about the real meaning of Christ's Resurrection and share that discussion with friends this week.

Catholic Family Ping!

Please notify me via Freepmail if you would like to be added to or removed from the Catholic Family Ping list.

Posting a the last whole week of Lent today.

God bless all of you!

[Salvation]

Holy Thursday bump!

[Salvation]

Here are some other links about Lent:

The Holy Season of Lent -- Fast and Abstinence

The Holy Season of Lent -- The Stations of the Cross

Lent and Fasting

Ash Wednesday

All About Lent

Kids and Holiness: Making Lent Meaningful to Children

[Salvation]

Daily Family Prayer Ping!

Ash Wednesday It isn’t too late, we can still return to the Lord with all our heart. (see Joel 2:12)

[OMalley]

Wow, awesome, Thanks:)

[Salvation]

I'll post a little thought like that each day.

[Salvation]

BTTT in preparation for Lent 2005!

[Aggie Mama]

I loved the ideas for the kids. I just printed it and will post it on the fridge tonight!

[Salvation]

Thanks.

[Salvation]

Here are some others that focus in on the three practices of Lent. What some families do is put together a purple or lavender "Forty Lenten Links" chain (such as those made at Christmas time) to make the days of Lent.

On each link they put one of these practices or intentions -- Then they take it off and do it that day. When the chain is finished -- Easter is here!

Ideas for Children – Three Practices of Lent


Ideas for Fasting

Give up one TV show today and spend that time helping a family member.
Give up one TV show or the radio or music for 30 minutes and read the story of the Woman at the Well in chapter 4 of the Gospel of John, verses 5-30.
Give up one TV show or the radio or music for 30 minutes and read the story of the Blind Man in chapter 9 of the Gospel of John, verses 1, 6-11, 35-38.
Give up one TV show or the radio or music for 30 minutes and read the story of Lazarus in chapter 11 of the Gospel of John, verses 1-7, 17-44.
Give up one TV show or the radio or music for 30 minutes and read the story of the Good Shepherd in chapter 10 of the Gospel of John, verses 1-18.
Give up something that you enjoy today (like dessert or snacks) and spend a few minutes praying for the needs of others.
Give up something that you enjoy today (like dessert or snacks) and donate 25¢ to your Operation Rice Bowl box.
Give up buying something new (clothes, CD, magazine, jewelry) and donate 50¢ to your Operation Rice Bowl box.
Give up buying something new (clothes, CD, magazine, jewelry) and donate 50¢ to your Operation Rice Bowl box.
Give up going to a movie or other fun activity and donate the money from this activity to your Operation Rice Bowl box or other people in need in your community.
Think about a bad habit that you would like to change, like telling a lie, yelling at others, getting angry, or putting people down, and choose to avoid that habit and do something positive instead.
Think about someone you are angry with or who has hurt you. Ask God for the courage to forgive and pray for that person each day. Think about one thing that is good about them.
Share lots of smiles today.
Give a hug to everyone in your family.
Compliment each person in your family some time today.
Give up complaining, frowns, and negative thoughts today.

Praying

Read the story of Palm Sunday, Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, in the Gospels of Matthew 21:1-11 or Mark 11:1-10 or Luke 19:28-40.
Read the story of the Last Supper of Jesus in chapter 13 of the Gospel of John, verses 1-15.
Read the story of Easter chapter 20 of the Gospel of John, verses 1-9.
Pray the “Our Father” three times today—in the morning when you get up, at noontime, and when you go to bed.
Say a prayer for someone who is sick today.
Pray for a forgiving heart and ask the people you have hurt to forgive you.
Participate in Ash Wednesday services with your family.
Participate in the Stations of the Cross during Lent.
Participate in the Sacrament of Reconciliation during Lent.
Rent the video, The Prince of Egypt. Watch the video and read the story of Moses from the Book of Exodus, chapters 2-15. Try to read one chapter each day. Be sure to read the story of the Passover in chapters 12 through 13:22.
List three blessings you have been given. Say a prayer to God, giving thanks for the blessings in your life.
Pray for the children and families who are homeless, and think about ways you and your family might help them.

Serving/Almsgiving

Show an act of kindness to each family member today.
Show an act of kindness to a friend and to someone who is difficult to like.
Together with your family, spend time serving others during Lent. Work at a soup kitchen or homeless shelter. Visit elderly people who are in nursing homes or are shut-ins.
Bring food or clothing to the parish or community food pantry, food bank, or homeless shelter.
Do someone else’s chores one day this week.
Donate a new item of children’s clothing to the local homeless shelter or clothing center.
Go through your closet and find some clothes in good shape to give away to other children who are in need of clothes.
Write a letter or create a card for someone who is sick or might be lonely.
Buy a can of food to give to a food bank or homeless shelter.
Talk with your family about eating one simple meal each week of Lent and putting the money you save in the Operation Rice Bowl box or giving the money to a soup kitchen or homeless shelter.

[Salvation]

http://www.creighton.edu/CollaborativeMinistry/Lent/symbols.html

Symbols in Our Home

We need to choose to let our homes be a place full of the holy – things that help raise our minds and hearts to God.  Our world is full of so many images that lure our minds and hearts elsewhere.  Here are some symbols that will carry the ongoing meaning we give them, for us and for our families and loved ones.

A Crucifix
We probably all have a crucifix in our home.  If not, Lent might be a wonderful time to buy one and place it in a central place.  Even a child’s drawing of Jesus’ death for us can be a powerful, stirring reminder of God’s love.

Water
A simple bowl of water, in a central place, can be transformed into an ongoing reminder of our journey to the font of baptism for the renewal of commitment and life in Christ.  Perhaps we can pray over it.  “Lord, may this water remind us of our baptism and be a blessing for our home, where our dying and rising in you is lived each day.  Bless us, as we sign ourselves with it each day.”

Sand
Perhaps a bowl of sand can help us remember our journey.  God led the people in their journey in the desert.  Jesus himself reenacted that journey to face his own temptations.  The desert can be a place of retreat, where there is a freedom from distractions.  It can be a good place to be led and to face our temptations.

A Candle
Imagine having a candle in a central place in our home.  Imaging praying over it together as we begin Lent. “Lord thank you for the gift of your Light in the midst of all darkness.  Let this candle be a symbol of our faith in your presence among us.”  And imagine if we light this candle whenever we feel tempted away from the Light of Jesus, when we are experiencing tensions in our home, whenever we need special graces.  Imagine how powerful experiencing the lighting of the New Fire will be at the Easter Vigil.

Perhaps we have Baptismal candles that were given to us or our childen at Baptism.  It might be very meaningful to bring them out and lay them near our central candle.  We can remember the words that were spoken when we received this candle:  "Receive the Light of Christ.  ... Keep this flame burning brightly."

Perhaps we have the white baptismal garments that have been used in our family for baptism.  These could be taken out.  We can remember the words, "See in the white garments you wear, the outward sign of your Christian dignity.  Bring this garment unstained to the joys of everlasting life."  We can let it remind us of our white garment, when we see the newly baptized come out of the font of baptism, and be given their new white garments.  It is a symbol of the priesthood in Jesus that we all share.

A Bible
The Word is so important for us during Lent.  Perhaps the prominent presence of a Bible in our home can represent for us our desire for God’s Word in our lives.  Imagine the experience that could be ours if - when we feel a new inspiration or a softening of our heart, or just a sense of God’s love – we pick up that Bible and simply, reverently kiss it.

Are there other symbols which make our particular journey full of meaning and faith?
 

[Salvation]

BTTT for Lent 2006!

[Global2010]

Children yes but this is a great article for us more simple minded too.

[Salvation]

Aren't we all simple minded at one time or another? LOL!

Actually, during Lent we could say, "Live simply so others may simply live."

[Global2010]

I am sorry as I replied on a Prayer request as half a mistake...

Our Prayer intentions were solid for the requestee but we mixed up threads.

Boy it is quite with just the heart/o2 machine pumping and no sound in the room.
Per the morning we will have Catholic Radio and the Local NEWS on Cassette going.

He is getting quite a kick out of this....Lotta quite time for Praying The Holy Rosary as he/we learned back in Militial Immaculata Summer Camps as kids.

Night....Long Day tomorrow as we have Catechism and then Mass tomorrow and then then long drive home..

[Salvation]

My Lenten Journey to Easter. Learn a fact a day

MY LENTEN JOURNEY TO EASTER - LEARN A FACT A DAY

 

Lent is a time of preparation.  We can also think of it as a journey with Jesus toward Good Friday and Easter Sunday.  Lent is a special time when we try extra hard to know Jesus and live the way of love that his teachings show us.

 

"My Lenten Journey to Easter" is similar to using an Advent calendar to count down the days to Christmas; only we will count down the days to Easter!!

On each weekday of Lent (Monday through Saturday), read and learn the fact about the Lenten season given for that particular day.  For every day that you learn the fact, you can color in a stone on the path to Easter.  Each Sunday that you do the family activity, you can color the cross for that week.  Have a great time learning!!!

 

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[Salvation]

Day 1 – Mar. 1

Today is Ash Wednesdy.  A cross will be marked on your forehead today at church.